April 17, 2016 – Golden Pass Products today announced more than 150 businesses in Jefferson County successfully completed pre-screening through the Local Business Initiative. These businesses will receive priority consideration for work with the company’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project.

“Participation in the Local Business Initiative exceeded our expectations,” Robert Bilnoski, VP of Human Resources and Public Affairs for Golden Pass LNG, said. “It’s clear that local businesses are excited and ready to work on a project that will create thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in business activity, and lasting benefits for the county.”

First announced in October 2015 as part of the Opportunity Roadmap, the Local Business Initiative provided local businesses an opportunity to get “pre-screened” through a third-party contractor to compete for work with the proposed Golden Pass Products liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project. Businesses that successfully completed the pre-screening process were placed on a list for priority consideration that Golden Pass will provide to the project Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor. The EPC contractor will give priority consideration to businesses on the list when soliciting vendors and suppliers.

Of the more than 150 businesses that completed the program, 36 are Port Arthur businesses and 26 are minority owned businesses.

“The Local Business Initiative was a huge success,” said Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick. “I commend Golden Pass for going the extra mile to ensure Jefferson County businesses have an opportunity to work with the project.”

Golden Pass LNG hired Veriforce, an expert in contractor screening, to facilitate the application process. A Veriforce representative worked with each applicant to provide guidance and assist with completing the application. Golden Pass covered Veriforce application fees incurred by eligible Jefferson County applicants that submitted applications by January 15, 2016. Businesses outside of Jefferson County applied, but were responsible for application fees.

Placement on the pre-screened list does not guarantee work for the project. When the EPC contractor solicits vendors and suppliers, businesses must complete the qualification process and meet all Golden Pass project requirements before being formally selected.

The Golden Pass Products LNG export project is a proposed $10 billion investment to add approximately 15.6 million tons of LNG export capacity per year to the existing Golden Pass LNG import terminal in Sabine Pass, Texas. The project expects to receive FERC authorization in 2016. GPP has received U.S. Department of Energy authorization for exports to Free Trade Agreement countries and is awaiting DOE approval to export to non-FTA nations. Following receipt of all required regulatory approvals and a final investment decision, construction would begin with a view to first LNG as early as 2020.

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About the Opportunity RoadmapThe Opportunity Roadmap is an initiative to connect local people and businesses with opportunities created by industrial development in Southeast Texas. The Opportunity Roadmap will include initiatives for businesses, job seekers and others in the community. Other initiatives will be launched in the coming months. For more information, visit www.goldenpassproducts.com/local.